Setting the 2018 Olympic stage

I am going to Korea next month as part of the jury for the Olympic men's alpine skiing events. It will be my first Olympics - after being out of the country for 7 years working in Argentina and Trinidad. Those adventures were captured in previous blogs...
Trinidad: http://ibelimin.blogspot.ca/   Buenos Aires: http://barneyinba.blogspot.ca/

Now onto a new adventure!

Two years ago in February, 2016 I went to Korea for the PyeongChang Olympic test event, it was the Mens World Cup Downhill/SuperG at Jeongseon.  The venue was brand new and the only lift on the mountain, a gondola, was completed just 10 days before the event.

The downhill race course was a white strip of manmade snow on a mountain that had virtually no natural snow.

As the event was a test of the race track, the venue, the organization and the ability to run a world class event,  it was pretty significant that the first downhill ever run in S. Korea was this World Cup.....and they did a pretty good job.

As this was a new experience for many of the local course crew, I saw a few selfies being taken on the course.





 

With most Olympics, there is planet of support from more experienced volunteers such as our very own Sled Dogs from Lake Louise, a dose of Americans and many Russians with experience from Sochi.   

I was there as the Start Referee, and here I am with my start tent-mates, the starter from Swiss Timing and the local broadcaster cameraman. 

The Slip Crew consisted of students who may have lacked experience but made up for it in enthusiasm.

The forerunners were young Korean racers, bolstered by the retired Swiss veteran, Didier Defago, who was great with sharing his knowledge with the younger racers. Defago won the Olympic gold at Whistler - so he has his papers.

 

The podium in 2016 was topped by Janka (SUI), followed by Innerhofer (ITA) & Kriechmeyer (AUT).  Looking forward to see who wins Olympic gold next month.

 

 

Link to 2016 World Cup Photos

I stayed at the Alpensia resort in 2016. At the time, they had an awesome ice sculpture display of over 50 buildings, & sculptures very close to our hotel and at the base of the Alpensia ski runs. I know that during the Olympics, the displays & cultural events surrounding the games will be amazing.

 

Link to 2016 Harbin Ice Festival photos

My flights and accommodation are all booked and my orientation documents have all been received & reviewed. Just waiting on accreditation to arrive in the mail.

A number of fellow Sled Dogs are already on location helping with course prep and safety installations. Looking forward to getting there.

B.